asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected by the Racing Board in bookmakers' levy and from the tote over the last three years; and the amount contributed to prize money during the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Racing Board Finances.
23.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
Levy on Bookmakers |
697 |
777 |
915 |
|
Totalisator deductions |
688 |
699 |
836 |
|
Total |
1,385 |
1,476 |
1,751 |
|
Racing Board contribution to Prize Money |
669 |
675 |
771 |
Does the Minister propose to proceed with the budget proposal in regard to the increase in levy or has he had second thoughts about it?
No, the appropriate legislation will be introduced at the earliest possible date but I should point out that it will be permissive legislation.
Did the Minister have any discussions with the Racing Board before announcing the proposal in his budget speech?
Yes, the views of the people involved are known.
But did the Minister actually receive a view from the Racing Board before announcing his proposal in the budget?
Yes.
My information is that the Minister did not communicate at all with the Racing Board.
Is the Deputy against more money for racing?
No.
Against the levy but——
Could the Minister let us have an estimate of the figure contributed by the Racing Board to State funds in any one year?
The figure the Deputy seeks is set out in the tabular statement.
But at the moment could the Minister give any idea of what the figure is because I shall be raising it later in another question on another board connected with the industry, the Greyhound Board.
The figures vary from year to year around the 40 per cent or 50 per cent mark.
Could the Minister give me an idea because I want to make an evaluation of the two boards and make a comparison of one with the other?
The specific information sought by the Deputy is in the tabular statement.